May

May–June and September–October: Albania's Riviera and mountain trails at their best — before crowds discover it.

April–May and September–October avoid both intense summer heat and winter chill.

Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt — any month works, but January–April offers peak dry conditions and ideal beaches.

December–April: golden beaches, jazz festivals and perfect trade-wind sailing in Barbados's dry season.

May–September: Bruges canal walks, outdoor beer gardens and summer festivals in their full glory.

June–September for Black Sea resorts; January–February for budget skiing in Bansko — great value all year.

April–May and September–October: ideal temperature in Beijing, Guilin and the Yangtze before summer heat and holiday crowds.

May and September are the Dalmatian coast at its very best — fewer boats, clearer water.

May–September: Prague's old town and Czech countryside at their most beautiful — avoid winter chill.

May–October: Fiji's dry season — perfect coral reefs, soft sandy beaches and spectacular diving without cyclone risk.

May–June for Paris in full bloom; September–October for vineyards and autumn light.

May–June and September–October: Tbilisi's old quarters, Kazbegi peaks and wine country in perfect shoulder season.

May–September for castles, Rhine cruises and beer gardens; December for magical Christmas markets from Hamburg to Munich.

May and September deliver island magic without August's peak crowds and prices.

December–May: Grenada's Spice Island beaches, nutmeg plantations and diving sites in peak dry season.

May–September: Budapest thermal baths, Danube Bend cruise and Tokaj wine region at summer best.

March–April and October–November: Jerusalem's Old City, Tel Aviv beaches and the Dead Sea in spring and autumn perfection.

Late April–June and September are golden: great weather without summer's gridlock.

Cherry blossoms peak late March–April; autumn foliage peaks October–November.

March–April and October–November: Petra glows in perfect light and Wadi Rum nights are beautifully cool.

May–June and September–October: Almaty and the Tian Shan mountains in perfect condition before winter extremes.

May–September: Luxembourg City's fortifications and the Ardennes valley best explored in warm summer light.

February–April is best for KL, Penang and Langkawi's west coast; June–August for Borneo wildlife safaris.

May–June and September–October: Valletta's baroque streets, Blue Lagoon and diving in perfect Mediterranean conditions.

May–October: Mauritius's dry, cooler season — perfect for snorkeling, hiking and luxury resorts without cyclone risk.

June–September: Kotor's medieval walls and Bay of Boka under Adriatic sun — stunning coastline, far fewer crowds than Croatia.

March–May: perfect desert evenings, blooming valleys and comfortable city temps.

April–May: Keukenhof tulip fields in full bloom, Amsterdam canals at their finest and cycling paths at their best.

November–April dry season — ideal for colonial León, Granada and volcano boarding on Cerro Negro.

June–September: Lake Ohrid's crystal waters and Skopje's Old Bazaar at summer best — with very few tourists.

March–May and September–October: Lahore in full spring, Fairy Meadows accessible and Hunza Valley at its most colourful.

April–September: Paraguay's cooler, drier season — ideal for Asunción, Jesuit ruins and Pantanal wetlands.

May–October is the dry season for Machu Picchu trekking and Andean adventures.

December–March: crystal waters of Palawan, Siargao surf breaks and Chocolate Hills in peak dry season.

May–September: Kraków's old town, Warsaw's rebuilt centre and Tatra Mountain trails in warm summer sunshine.

April–June hits the sweet spot: warm sun, lower prices and manageable crowds.

May–September: Transylvania's castles, painted monasteries and Carpathian hikes under warm summer skies.

December–May: the Pitons rising from emerald water, Castries market stalls and golden beaches at dry-season best.

December–April: sail the Grenadines between Mustique, Bequia and Tobago Cays in perfect trade-wind conditions.

May–September: the Three Towers on Mount Titano and historic centre in glorious Adriatic sunshine.

May–September: Belgrade's fortress, Niš Roman ruins and Exit Festival in Novi Sad under summer sun.

April–May and October–November: inter-monsoon calm means flat seas, great snorkeling visibility and lush green interiors.

June–September for High Tatras hiking and Bratislava's old town; January–February for budget-friendly ski resorts.

April is prime for cherry blossoms; October–November for vivid fall foliage.

April–June is perfect: warm enough for beaches, pleasant for cities, pre-peak prices.

December–March: west coast beaches and cultural triangle in peak dry season.

January–March: Trinidad Carnival (pre-Lent) is one of the world's greatest festivals; Tobago offers reef diving year-round.

March–May and October–November: Tunis medina, Dougga ruins and Sahara dunes at perfect temperatures.

April–June and September–October: Cappadocia balloon rides and Aegean beaches at their best.

May–September: Kyiv's golden domes, Lviv's cobbled streets and Carpathian trails in warm summer months.

June–August: London, Scottish Highlands and the Cotswolds in their greenest, brightest form with the longest daylight.

April–May and September–October: the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square without peak-summer queues — book Papal audiences ahead.